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Harvest Guidelines

Knowing when and how to harvest your vegetables is crucial for getting the best flavor, nutrition, and continued production from your plants. This guide covers best practices for harvesting at Metro Gardens.

⏰ General Harvesting Principles​

Best Times to Harvest:​

  • Early morning: After dew dries but before heat of day (8-10 AM ideal)
  • Late evening: After temperatures cool (after 6 PM in summer)
  • Avoid midday: Heat and sun stress reduce quality and shelf life

Signs of Readiness:​

  • Size: Usually indicated on seed packets or plant tags
  • Color: Full color development for ripe fruits
  • Texture: Firm but not hard, gives slightly to pressure
  • Ease of removal: Ripe produce separates easily from plant

Harvesting Tools:​

  • Clean, sharp knife or scissors: For cutting stems cleanly
  • Harvest basket or bag: Breathable containers prevent bruising
  • Gloves: Protect hands when harvesting thorny or rough plants
  • Spray bottle: For misting delicate greens

🥬 Leafy Greens & Herbs​

Lettuce & Salad Greens​

When to harvest:

  • Baby greens: 3-4 inches tall (21-30 days)
  • Mature heads: Full size but before bolting

How to harvest:

  • Cut-and-come-again: Cut outer leaves 1 inch above crown
  • Whole head: Cut at soil level with sharp knife
  • Harvest early morning when leaves are crisp and full of moisture

Storage: Wash, spin dry, store in refrigerator in breathable bags (up to 1 week)

Spinach & Arugula​

When to harvest:

  • Baby leaves: 2-3 inches (20-30 days)
  • Mature leaves: 4-6 inches (40-50 days)

How to harvest:

  • Pick outer leaves regularly
  • Harvest entire plant before flowering
  • Cut in cool morning hours

Storage: Similar to lettuce - wash, dry thoroughly, refrigerate

Basil & Soft Herbs​

When to harvest:

  • Once plant reaches 6 inches tall
  • Before flower buds open (pinch them off)

How to harvest:

  • Cut stems just above a pair of leaves
  • Regular harvesting encourages bushy growth
  • Never harvest more than 1/3 of plant at once

Storage: Fresh herbs last 7-10 days in water like flowers, or freeze in ice cubes

Kale & Collards​

When to harvest:

  • Baby leaves: 4-5 inches (50-60 days)
  • Mature leaves: 8-10 inches (70-80 days)

How to harvest:

  • Always harvest from bottom up
  • Leave central growing point intact
  • Leaves are sweetest after light frost

Storage: Remove thick stems, wash, store in refrigerator up to 1 week

🍅 Fruiting Vegetables​

Tomatoes​

When to harvest:

  • Ripe: Full color, slight give when gently squeezed
  • Green: Just before first frost, ripen indoors on windowsill

How to harvest:

  • Twist and pull gently, or cut stem with scissors
  • Handle carefully to avoid bruising
  • Harvest regularly to encourage production

Storage:

  • Ripe tomatoes: Counter for 2-3 days, refrigerator up to 1 week
  • Green tomatoes: Room temperature until ripe, then refrigerate

Peppers​

When to harvest:

  • Green stage: Full size but not fully ripe (mild flavor)
  • Ripe stage: Full color development (sweetest flavor)

How to harvest:

  • Cut stem with scissors or knife (don't pull)
  • Wear gloves when handling hot peppers
  • Regular harvesting increases production

Storage: Fresh peppers last 1-2 weeks in refrigerator

Eggplant​

When to harvest:

  • Glossy, firm skin that gives slightly to pressure
  • Before seeds inside become brown and bitter
  • Usually 6-8 inches long depending on variety

How to harvest:

  • Cut stem with sharp knife (stems are tough)
  • Harvest every 2-3 days during peak season
  • Handle carefully - bruises easily

Storage: Use within 3-5 days, doesn't store well long-term

Cucumbers & Summer Squash​

When to harvest:

  • Cucumbers: 6-8 inches long, dark green, firm
  • Zucchini: 6-8 inches long, tender skin
  • Summer squash: Young and tender, skin easily pierced with fingernail

How to harvest:

  • Cut stem with knife (don't pull from vine)
  • Check daily during peak season
  • Remove overripe fruits to keep plants producing

Storage: Refrigerate up to 1 week, best used fresh

🥕 Root Vegetables​

Carrots​

When to harvest:

  • Baby carrots: 1/2 inch diameter (50-60 days)
  • Mature carrots: 3/4 to 1 inch diameter (70-80 days)

How to harvest:

  • Loosen soil around carrot with fork
  • Grasp greens close to root and pull straight up
  • Brush off soil (don't wash until ready to use)

Storage: Remove tops, store in refrigerator up to 2-3 weeks

Radishes​

When to harvest:

  • Small varieties: 3/4 to 1 inch diameter (25-30 days)
  • Large varieties: 2-3 inches diameter (50-60 days)

How to harvest:

  • Pull when soil is moist
  • Don't leave in ground too long - becomes woody
  • Harvest morning for crispest texture

Storage: Remove tops, refrigerate up to 2 weeks

Beets​

When to harvest:

  • Baby beets: 1-2 inches diameter (50 days)
  • Mature beets: 2-3 inches diameter (60-70 days)

How to harvest:

  • Pull gently from soil when moist
  • Leave 1-2 inches of stem attached to prevent bleeding
  • Both roots and greens are edible

Storage:

  • Roots: Remove greens, refrigerate up to 3-4 weeks
  • Greens: Use within 3-5 days like spinach

Onions​

When to harvest:

  • Green onions: Any time after 6 inches tall
  • Storage onions: When tops fall over and dry (90-120 days)

How to harvest:

  • Green onions: Pull individual plants as needed
  • Storage onions: Dig carefully with fork, cure in sun for several days

Storage:

  • Green onions: Refrigerate up to 1 week
  • Storage onions: Cure properly, store in cool, dry place up to 6 months

🫘 Beans & Peas​

Snap Beans​

When to harvest:

  • Pods are full size but beans inside are still small
  • Pods snap crisply when bent

How to harvest:

  • Pick regularly (every 2-3 days) to keep plants producing
  • Use both hands - hold vine with one, pick with other
  • Harvest when pods are dry for longest storage

Storage: Fresh beans last 1 week in refrigerator

Peas​

When to harvest:

  • Snap peas: Pods are plump but not bulging
  • Snow peas: Pods are flat and peas barely visible inside
  • Shelling peas: Pods are full and round

How to harvest:

  • Pick daily once production starts
  • Harvest from bottom of plant upward
  • Morning harvest gives sweetest flavor

Storage: Use fresh peas within 2-3 days for best sweetness

🌽 Corn & Other Crops​

Sweet Corn​

When to harvest:

  • Silks are brown and dry
  • Kernels are plump and milky when punctured
  • Usually 18-21 days after silks appear

How to harvest:

  • Twist ear downward and pull off stalk
  • Harvest just before cooking for best sweetness
  • Early morning or evening harvest preferred

Storage: Use immediately or refrigerate up to 2 days

🏠 Post-Harvest Handling​

Cleaning & Preparation:​

  • Brush off soil rather than washing until ready to use
  • Remove damaged portions that could cause spoilage
  • Sort by ripeness - use ripe produce first
  • Handle gently to prevent bruising

Community Sharing:​

  • Surplus Table: Located near tool shed for sharing extra produce
  • Preservation Workshops: Group canning and freezing sessions
  • Recipe Sharing: Post favorite preparation methods on bulletin board

Storage Options:​

  • Root cellar: Cool, humid storage for roots and winter squash
  • Herb drying: Hanging bundles in tool shed
  • Community freezer: Available for member use with advance sign-up

📅 Harvest Calendar​

Spring Harvest (April-June):​

  • Asparagus, lettuce, spinach, peas, radishes, early carrots

Summer Harvest (July-September):​

  • Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, beans, corn, herbs

Fall Harvest (October-November):​

  • Winter squash, root vegetables, late greens, Brussels sprouts

Succession Planting Schedule:​

  • Salad greens: Every 2 weeks from April through September
  • Beans: Every 3 weeks from May through July
  • Carrots: Monthly from April through August

⚠️ Harvesting Safety​

Important Reminders:​

  • Never harvest in wet conditions - increases disease spread
  • Wash hands before and after harvesting
  • Use clean tools - sanitize between different plant families
  • Don't harvest damaged or diseased produce
  • Be aware of irrigation schedule - avoid harvesting recently watered areas

Weather Considerations:​

  • After rain: Wait until plants and soil dry before harvesting
  • Hot weather: Harvest early morning or evening only
  • Before storms: Harvest ripe produce that might be damaged

🍽️ Recipe Suggestions​

Check our community bulletin board for seasonal recipe ideas from fellow gardeners! Popular favorites include:

  • Summer: Fresh salsa, ratatouille, cucumber water
  • Fall: Roasted root vegetables, winter squash soup
  • Year-round: Herb-infused oils, pickled vegetables

Remember: The best time to harvest is when you're ready to enjoy your fresh, homegrown vegetables! When in doubt, ask a fellow gardener or check with our garden manager during Saturday morning hours. Happy harvesting! 🥕🥬🍅